Best Beginnings Scholarship

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Early Childhood Services Bureau (ECSB) offers “Best Beginnings” child-care scholarships to qualified low-income families whose child attends a licensed child care center, registered group or family child care home, or legally unregistered child care provider. Each family participates in the cost of that care by making a co-payment based on a sliding fee scale.

Scholarships are available to working families whose income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and families who get cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

  • To be eligible, parent(s) must work at least 60 hours per month for single parents not attending school and 120 hours for two-parent families regardless of school attendance. Either or both parents may work these hours for two-parent families. Single parent families attending school or training full time, must work at least 40 hours per month.
  • School cannot be covered past a bachelor’s degree or within 5 years of receiving a degree or certification.
  • Income guidelines and parent’s monthly copayment chart are on the Sliding Fee Scale.
  • Families receiving TANF benefits should request a child care referral from their case worker.
  • Families with absent parents must verify that they either receive child support under a court order, or comply with Child Support Enforcement Division, or verify they have good cause to not pursue child support. Contact Child Care Resources for more information.
  • Child care must be provided by a registered or licensed child care facility, or a provider who has been approved for a payment number (Legally Unregistered Provider-LUP). Call for referrals or information on LUP requirements.

Child Care assistance covers:

  • Working hours when no parent is available due to work.
  • Some school/training hours when the work requirement is met.
  • Teen-age parents completing high school or GED-no work hours are required.
  • FIA/EP activities for families receiving TANF
Download a Scholarship Application